University of California-Merced Top Questions

Being a first generation college student, I wasn't sure what to expect at first. I was plagued with self-doubt, wondering if it was even worth my time. Too many people had told me that college would earn me nothing but a load of debt and a useless degree. "The job market is bad, even for college graduates," they said. So at first I didn't attend, but the need to learn and discover soon consumed me and I knew I had to go back to school, no matter what the cost. When I went back I truly learned the meaning of hard work. I pulled in 40 hours a week at my job and attended classes full-time. I rode the city bus at least three hours everyday to attend. I pay rent and tuition, with no scholarships or loans. I feel overwhelmed at times, but for each A on my transcript I feel closer to a future I never believed could be mine. I have learned a lot about my field of study and the world, but so much more about myself and my strengths. That's what makes it worth it.

I have really enjoyed the friendships I have made during my time so far. Also, the availability of classes, has helped me have a forseeable finish to my college career. Moreover, I feel like I am constantly bettering my overall knowledge of the world. In the case of value, my time at UC Merced has saved me a lot of money compared to other private schools I was accepted to.

So far, college has been a learning experience, and not just in the classroom. I've learned a lot about myself and others, and while I might finish my formal education, I'll always be learning, and college has been a great way to prepare me for how to learn.

College has been the experience of a lifetime for me. I have transformed from nervous college freshman to a poised and determined young woman about to obtain her Bachelor’s degree from U.C. Merced in political science. I never dreamed I’d be able to afford college, but with the help of financial aid and the dedication of working multiple part-time jobs while attending college full-time, I achieved what I never thought to be possible. College not only prepares you for a career, but arms you with a plethora of knowledge that will be yours forever. Knowledge is power, and it is what enables us to make responsible decisions in whatever field we choose to work in. The friendships I made in college will last a lifetime. I have learned to believe in myself through participating in activities such as the student body and mentoring high school students for college. Attending U.C. Merced has been an honor, and one of the greatest opportunities of my life. It is the encouragement of the friends and professors I’ve met there that helped me decide to apply to graduate school.

Attending UC Merced has been one of the best decisions that I have made. The school is the newest UC, and with our class, it has just now reached a little over 5000 students. The small size of the college gives the students a family like atmosphere and the small class size allows the students to connect easily. UC Merced also has a strong math and science emphasis, which is exactly what I plan to make my career in. Their nanotechnology and bioengineering majors look very promising to me. The teachers at UC Merced are very dedicated and committed to teaching their students and are also willing to help them succeed by providing extra office hours and being available for personal one on one tutoring. Attending UC Merced has helped me develop my leadership skills to set the groundwork for the UC by creating clubs and participating in community service opportunities. UC Merced feels like a private school yet with public financial assistance. I have learned so much in just one semester there and I look forward to continuing my education at UC Merced.

Through my time at the University of California, Merced I have achieved what I believe to be a measurable gain in my awareness of the motives and conditions that drive people, my ability to intelligently apply aspects of my education to practical decisions and communication, and in my general overall happiness in my relations with friends, family and people (as a result of my education). This is why, despite facing the challenges of being in a reletively isolated location with the limited resources that are perhaps typical of a new institution, I feel that I have gained a certain degree of increased knowledge that is representative of the effort I put into my education.

My college experience has allowed me to not only an exceptional education but, also to grow as a person. I have found my passion in helping others through promoting recycling, feeding the homeless, fighting tuition increases, and fighting for human rights. My college experience has led me to become a representative on the Board of Directiors for NYPIRG (New York Public Interest Research Group) which helps teach students skills on how to fight for what the believe in, in a respectful manner.

My college experience has been a very nutritious growing experience. Through club activities and academic responsibilities, I have really discovered myself. I went from being very shy, not confident, and indecisive to a very confident, opinionated and sociable individual. Discovery of myself, through college, is one of the most valuable things I've gotten. I've also made lifetime friends while I've attended this University. I have friends I'm able to network for jobs and friends who are there to pick me up if I'm ever down. I know the years spent at this University are the stepping stone to have a very successful career and life in general.

College is college, everyone has to expierance it, since it is a wonderful expierance that i am currently going through. I think everyone should expierance it since it sort of gives us a taste of the real world without actually being in the real world i could say. Since there are no parents and we are on our own, but still some parents still support us financialy, but we are fully responsible for what happens since most of us are at least 18. College also shows you who the real you is since, it is not like high school were teachers do mostly everything for you, in college its your responsibilty for your homework and grade and how well you study or not. since it is recommended for every class you take. you have to study 2 hours for that class out of class each time you have it.

I learn about that is not important that where you from or what langurage you speak. People in UCMerced are very nice and friendly. They don't care who are you. They will help you out even you didn't ask help.